Lens refilling to restore accommodation

Abstract

The ultimate goal of cataract surgery, besides the restoration of distance visual acuity, is the restoration of accommodation. Lens refilling with an injectable polymer has the potential of restoring accommodation following cataract surgery. Two main difficulties have hampered the success of lens refilling strategies in the past. First was leakage of the injectable material from the capsular bag and second was after-cataract formation resulting in loss of elasticity and opacification of the lens–bag complex. Recently, simplified and highly reproducible lens refilling procedures have been introduced with a potential for clinical application to restore accommodation. We present a summary of the existing methods of lens refilling for restoration of accommodation and some obstacles to clinical application that remain.